Victims advocacy varies

SANDUSKY — Special advocates often work with crime victims with roles that include accompanying them to court hearings and informing them of case updates. But not all advocate programs operate in the same way. In some counties, victims come in contact with advocates quickly and before any criminal procedures take place. Though, in others, this contact may not happen until after criminal charges are filed. Working with victims Sarah Reynolds, Erie County's victim assistance program director, said for victims that report within a four-day period of a sexual assault, survivors have the opportunity to complete a sexual assault examination. "We have an advocate go with them for the examination," Reynolds said. "We'll have someone with them immediately to stay with them, talk to them. They provide them with counseling services and advocacy information, then." Reynolds said, more often than not, victims will come to report their assault after the fact — sometimes years later. "In Erie County, as soon as law enforcement is contacted, they should relay that information to the victim assistance program so we can start helping them right away," she said. "We'll start working with someone while law enforcement is going through that investigation process. Sometimes, Reynolds said, people will contact their program directly, rather than law enforcement, and they will still help them. "We'll discuss with them their options of reporting or what services they might need. We always give them as many options as we can," she said. "We want to help people, we don't want to force them into anything, like reporting if they're not ready." Another county office Laura Alkire, the assistant prosecuting attorney in Sandusky County, said her county has victim advocacy through the county prosecutor's office. But victim advocates aren't typically involved until a court case is filed. "In addition to working with victims on cases, our advocates also assist people who come in for civil protection orders and will respond to the hospital to assist with a victim who is undergoing a sexual assault nurse examination if they are called," Alkire said. "However, normally the first contact with a victim advocate is in preparation for the grand jury." Fremont police Chief Derek Wensinger said victims don't typically come in contact with advocates until after a criminal case is filed. Wensinger said he would like to see the victim advocacy program grow more, or offer a program from the Fremont Police Department one day. While victim advocates are focused more on victims' experiences and access to services, prosecutor's can have a just as difficult job, Reynolds said. Those investigating a case or hoping to bring it to trial have to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt. Marsy's Law In Ohio, victims do have the right to be informed of proceedings. Marsy's Law was an initiative, meaning it was put on a statewide ballot by way of a petition signed by a qualifying number of Ohio registered voters. It was approved by 83% of voters who cast ballots in November 2017. Marsy's Law is designed to ensure that crime victims get the same level of consideration provided to an alleged offender. It mandates that victims be: • Treated with dignity and respect throughout criminal justice proceedings • Notified of their rights as a victim of a crime • Kept informed of specific public proceedings during the criminal justice process, and that they are provided the opportunity to be present and heard during those proceedings This issue that's come up since the passage Marsy's Law is who is responsible for the notification: police or prosecutors. House Bill 343, approved in the Ohio House on May 18 by an 84-1 vote, will clearly lay out the process of notification for a statewide standard, said Jessica Ryan, a crime victims' advocate. If the bill is approved, then law enforcement officers would be the ones expected to give victims their Marsy's Law opt-in forms. The waiver forms outline victims' rights and allow them to opt-in to receive notifications about the status of their individual cases. "Justice for crime victims should not depend on where you live. That's why this legislation is needed now — to make sure victims are treated fairly and consistently across our state's criminal justice system," said Rep. Andrea White, R-Kettering, the bill's sponsor. "That they are not only told their rights but given the full opportunities to exercise them, and to have recourse if those rights are violated." White continued, "Consistently balancing the rights of victims, the accused and the state is essential to preserving the foundations of justice for all — whether you're from Cleveland, Coshocton or Clark County." House Bill 343 will now await assignment to a committee in the Senate.